We are looking for Planners to help build the next generation of innovative communities that the City of Markham is known for. You are a true visionary, committed to shaping the future of our growing City, building on its existing urban areas, expanding its parks and open space systems, preserving its greenways and key natural areas, focusing on environmental sustainability, championing the creation of complete communities. This is an exciting opportunity to bring your ideas to life and to create something remarkable for the people that live and work in Markham.

About the Role

If you are a dedicated and energetic individual who is committed to achieving excellence in urban planning and city building, this is the right place. Our Planners thrive in a fast-paced work environment designed to promote our socially and economically diverse community. Whether you are developing new employment areas, business parks or residential and mixed use districts, you will find plenty of ways to leave your mark for years to come.

Here are some of the key responsibilities of this position:

• Manage, analyze, and make recommendations on complex development applications within prescribed timelines
• Identify and negotiate land use and development concepts and solutions with internal and external clients
• Undertake, research and prepare policies, guidelines, and regulations
• Conduct independent site visits relative to assigned files and projects
• Assist in the interpretation and ongoing maintenance of the Official Plan, Secondary Plans and Zoning By-laws
• Prepare planning reports and deliver presentations to Committees, Council and at Public Meetings
• Facilitate and initiate public consultation, liaison and community outreach

Key Skills

It takes a lot of different talents to help turn visions into realities. Not only do you need to be able to collaborate between other departments, public agencies, residents, applicants and Councillors, you also need to demonstrate a variety of skills:

• Service Excellence: Meet or exceeds service standards when interacting with customers in the community and in the organization
• Change & Innovation: Respond positively and professionally to change and helps others through change
• Teamwork & Relationship Building: Interact with others in an inclusive, collaborative and respectful way that creates effective working relationships
• Communication: Communicate in a clear, professional and respectful way; and demonstrates active listening
• Accountable & Results Oriented: Demonstrate ethical behaviour and accountability, align with City values, and abides by relevant policies and legislation
• Management & Leadership: Demonstrate self-management, professionalism and engagement; and lead by example

Key Requirements

To qualify as a Planner, you must have a Degree in Planning or a related discipline and have related experience in development review and/or planning policy.

Working Here

The City of Markham offers a robust learning and development program that includes on-the-job training, access to in-house training and professional development opportunities, as well as opportunities to attend professional conferences. Our management team endeavours to provide you with the tools and support you need to grow your career and achieve your highest goals.

The City of Markham is divided into three multi-disciplinary Development Districts that handle all of the development applications within their geographic areas (excluding the City’s heritage districts). The Development Districts are comprised of Planners, Engineers, and Urban Designers, and each team is led by a District Manager. The Development Districts are centered around collaboration, which means that you work very closely and on a daily basis, with your team members from each of these disciplines. This team structure is part of what makes working here special. By encouraging communications between disciplines and avoiding the tendency to think in “professional silos”, it encourages more efficient working relationships and better community building.

Here is a look at what it is like working on our Development District teams:

• Collegial, highly professional atmosphere that encourages discussion and debate
• Responsive to client needs (residents; applicants; politicians; etc.)
• Regular weekly team meetings to discuss applications, and resolve matters in a team environment
• A Focus on innovation and finding better ways of doing things
• Opportunities for Team oriented social events (lunch; summertime BBQs; team-building exercises; etc.)

Benefits & Perks

At the City of Markham, we are proud that meaningful careers and excellence in service are a reality. We don’t just talk about a commitment to each other and our community, we live it! And that commitment is what inspires us as we create a better future for all. One of the many ways we see that commitment come to life is through our benefits, programs and culture. “Thrive at the City” reflects who we are today. It’s a comprehensive program designed to support our evolution as an organization while providing our staff with valued benefits and opportunities. “Thrive at the City” includes everything we offer our people: it’s your pay, your pension, your vacation time and other leaves. It also includes group health and insurance benefits, learning opportunities, training and safety programs, culture and workplace initiatives, and benefits that follow you into retirement. For the City, our benefit plans and programs are the investment we make in each of you – financial and more. Quite simply, it’s what we give in return for the outstanding contribution you make to our community every day.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to help make sure we find a great match – for both the City of Markham and for you. We know that in order to be successful, it’s important to start off right. That’s why you’ll have the support you need to feel prepared and comfortable every step of the way.

Submitting your application

• You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been successfully submitted
• All communication will be made by email or phone. Please check your emails regularly for messages from the City of Markham, and check your junk/spam mail folder as well.
• You can update your contact information at any time by logging into your candidate profile. However, the application you have already submitted will not automatically update your contact information.

Application Screening

• Your application will be reviewed by Human Resources and the Hiring Manager
• While all applications are welcome, only those applicants considered for an interview/test will be contacted by email or phone

Interview and/or Testing

• The interview panel will include the Hiring Manager and Human Resources and as needed, other relevant staff
• Interview(s), testing and references will be based on job-related criteria
• We invite applicants for interviews through email communication.

Selection

• The Hiring Manger and Human Resources will discuss the results of the interview, test and references against the requirements of the job to select the best candidate(s) for the job

Job Offer

• An offer of employment will be made to the successful candidate(s)
• Job offers may be conditional upon providing, at your expense, a Criminal Record Check/Vulnerable Screening Check (if required for the job) that is satisfactory to the City of Markham

Finding the right people to join our growing team is one of the most valuable things we can do. We’re here to help make this a positive experience that we can all learn from, no matter the outcome.

Apply Now